Wagner Wins Third Consecutive MAAC Water Polo Championship
MAAC Sports
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – With an 8-5 win over Marist College, top seeded Wagner University claimed its third consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Water Polo Championship title. The Seahawks became the third team in MAAC history to win three Water Polo Championships in a row.
The Red Foxes came out with the strong hand in the first period, getting a goal from Senior Attack Brooke Else and holding Wagner scoreless in the first period. In the second period, Wagner went on the offensive attack scoring four goals after being held scoreless in the first. The first Wagner goal came from Sophomore Utility Kimberly Watson whose goal tied the game at 1-1. MAAC Rookie of the Year and All-MAAC Second Team selection, Katie Tijerina answered back giving Marist the lead once again at 2-1. Else would score her second of three goals on the day to extend the Red Foxes lead, 3-1. With a goal from Sophomore Attack Elise Beggs and two back to back goals from MAAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-MAAC First Team Selection Jess Lundgren, Wagner would go into the half leading 4-3.
During the third period the Seahawks continued to extend their lead adding two goals from Watson and Lundgren. Marist’s Else scored her third and final goal of the day during the third period. Wagner would lead 6-4 at the start of the fourth. Tijerina’s second goal of the day would bring Marist within two, but the Seahawks would secure its third title with two more goals in the period to win the championship game 8-5.
Lundgren was named the MVP of the 2016 MAAC Water Polo Championship. Joining her on the All-Tournament Team was Iona’s Hannah Schultz, Marist’s Brooke Else and Katie Tijerina, Villanova’s Julie Conrath, and Wagner’s Megan Rodriguez and Kimberly Watson.
Wagner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Water Polo Championship. The selection show will take place on Monday May 2 at 7PM on NCAA.COM.
2016 Championship All-Tournament Team
Julie Conrath – Villanova University
Hannah Shultz – Iona College
Brooke Else – Marist College
Katie Tijerina – Marist College
Megan Rodriguez – Wagner College
Kimberly Watson – Wagner College
MVP Jess Lundgren Wagner College
Recap
| |
1st
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2nd
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3rd
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4th
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Final
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Wagner
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0
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4
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2
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2
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8
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Marist
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1
|
2
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1
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1
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5
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Goals
Wagner – Jess Lundgren 3, Elise Begg 2, Kimberly Watson 2, Lily Doerfler 1
Marist – Brooke Else 3, Katie Tijerina 2